Outdoor weddings are hugely popular and I am here for it. There is something special about committing yourself to a person in such an inspiring setting.

But as an event planner who loves the outdoors, I know how important it is to be prepared for anything.

In this post I’ll provide you 6 tips for having an outdoor elopement (guests or no guests), whether you are waterfront, hiking up a mountain, in the desert, or simply in your backyard.

Terrain

Feather and Twine

Once you decide where you are going to have your elopement, but sure to let everyone who will be present know so they can wear appropriate footwear.

You don’t want your sister to show up to your mountaintop elopement in heels or your future FIL to wear suede loafers if you’re getting married under a waterfall.

2. Temperature

Depending on where you live and what time of year you get married, it may be ungodly hot or stupid cold.

A winter wedding may sound nice and that long sleeved wedding gown is super cute, but if you’re outside for too long in formalwear, you and everyone else will just be miserable.

3. Sun

Brooke Schwab

Summer weddings = sun. And hopefully lots of it! But too much of a good thing can quickly turn ugly.

If you’re going to be out in the beating sun, bring some extra bottles of sunscreen to share.

Scouting your location helps, too, because you can see where the nice shady trees are and set up under one of them the day of.

You could also suggest bringing (or provide) parasols if there isn’t any natural shade cover.

4. Rain

Conversely, you have to plan for rain. An elopement typically means fewer people and probably just a ceremony, so you may be able to get away with just some umbrellas.

If you’re having a larger guest count, you may want to consider putting a deposit on a tent. It’s like rain insurance.

And you definitely should get a tent if you’re planning other activities. It would be a shame to have to cancel all of your fun reception activities (like perhaps a picnic) because you chose to cheap out on the tent.

5. Bugs

Climate change is making mosquitos a pest literally everywhere these days, so if you know there will be bugs out (it’s summer, you’re waterfront, or in the mountains), bring some extra bug spray.

People love to complain, and nothing makes people hate everything faster than being eaten by mosquitos. Excessive bug bites are not what you want you or your guests to be talking about on your wedding day.

6. Guests

Angela Nelson Photography

Elopements don’t have to be just the two of you. You will need to decide if you want to invite people or not.

If you decide to have guests at your elopement, consider who they are. Maybe grandma can’t walk that well, so a sunrise mountaintop elopement would be out. Which is the deal breaker: having grandma there or keeping the symbolism of a sunrise mountaintop elopement? Only you can make that call, but it is something you need to consider.

Give yourself some slack, know your family loves you, and no matter what you decide — just the two of you or not — they will be happy for you.